PESHAWAR, Nov 21: A survey carried out by Pakistan Dermatologists’ Association has indicated that 20 per cent people in the country suffer from skin diseases, Dermatologist Dr Raza Mohammad Khan said at a press conference on Thursday.

The association is celebrating herpes awareness week, that will continue till Nov 24 to create awareness about skin diseases.

He said herpes caused cold sores, chicken pox, shingles and genital herpes.

An estimated four out of five adults had cold sores and one in five suffered from genital herpes, he said. He said the outcomes could be avoided by taking appropriate medication at the right time.

He said the diseases was viral, therefore utmost preventive measures must be taken to avoid its spread.

He said the association would distribute awareness booklets in out-patient departments of major hospitals and doctor’s clinics besides arranging radio talk shows, covering various aspects of the disease, with eminent dermatologists.—APP